This is a blog dedicated to highlight the issue of Christian Persecution in India. The posts here in contain information about Christian Persecution in India from various sources with links and some exclusive to us. No Copyright infringement is intended. This is only for the purpose of spreading awareness about the ongoing Christian persecution in India. We have no political affiliations. We hope for a nation where all could live in peace with each other.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Bhopal : 30/03/2011, A catholic priest, Fr. Sebastian Kaiparambil aged about 45, was attacked in Badwha, Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. The incident took place around 2.30 am in the early morning of today. He was sleeping in his room while three unidentified persons entered in his room. They beat him up and he is admitted in Chauitram Hospital, Indore. He is under going treatment for head injury. The culprits have stolen around fifty thousand rupees and two mobiles too.

Public Relation Officer of the Khandwa Diocese, Fr. Philip Kadthanam who visited the incident site said, “incident is very serious, he is very badly beaten.” He said that there is also an anxiety that whether a dismissed teacher a day before is involved in the incident. While beating him they were asking him to hand over the documents, but they did not specify what documents they are looking for.”

The principal of the school Sr. Rita said, “the teacher was dismissed upon the numberless complaints from the parents and teachers. He has been served notices many times but we are not sure whether he is involved in the incident.”

He is the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church and manager of the St. Mary’s Convent School in the Diocese of Khandwa for the last just one year. Bishops Dr. Durairaj, while condemning the incident said that Father Sebastian is a very active missionary, his relations with people are very good.”

Town Inspector, Mansingh Takur, told, “we are looking into all possibilities, even though the name of the doubtful teacher is not mentioned , we are also investigating the matter. We are also taking all steps possible to nab the culprits. We will also give sufficient security to Christians.”

Meanwhile Archbishop Dr. Leo Cornelio, Chairman of the Bishops Council, M.P, has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister sitting present beating up of the Priest and the recent incident of Statue break at Jhabua (18/03/2011),where so far no one has been arrested. We are not sure of the persons involved in the incident of beating up of Fr. Sebastian but we are worried about the incident. It is to be noted that every time during the major Christian Festivals we face these types of incidents so we have approached the administration to nab the culprits and provide security to Christians in the State.

It is to be recalled that the Bishops Council of Madhya Pradesh, Fr. Anand Muttungal, has already filed a cases in the Madhya Pradesh High Court asking to take action on the erring officials in taking action against the people who attacked the Christians in the State for the last five years. The Council is thinking of brining theses incidents to the notice of the Court if the police fail to take proper action on the culprits.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Twelve tribals were arrested today for allegedly undergoing religious conversion in an illegal manner in Orissa's Mayurbhanj district while efforts were on to nab two pastors and another tribal.

The arrest came three days after a case was registered on Saturday against 15 persons - two Baptist pastors and 13 tribals - for alleged involvement in illegal conversion in, Mayurbhanj district, police said today.

The case was registered after it was found that 13 tribals of Rasgobindpur area had been converted in an illegal manner by the two pastors, Inspector In-Charge of Rasgobindpur police station, Santosh Das said.

The 12 tribals arrested from Rasgobindpur area were produced before a court here which sent them to jail, while the pastors and another tribal were yet to be traced, he said.

The pastors, identified as Samuel Mohapatra and Manuel Mohapatra of Balasore, as well as the tribals were found to have violated the provisions of Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, he said adding permission of the district authorities is mandatory for undertaking any religious conversion.

The conversion of the 13 tribals, belonging to four villages, had taken place during the last two-three days, police said.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Friday granted bail to BJP MLA Manoj Pradhan in the Kandhamal riot case. Justice Sanju Panda granted conditional bail to Pradhan on a personal bond of `20,000 and two sureties.

The bail was granted on certain conditions like Pradhan would not leave the country without the permission of the trial court and refrain from influencing the evidences and witnesses related to the case. This is the second time the high court has granted him bail.

The G Udaygiri MLA had surrendered at a Phulbani fast track court on March 9 after the Supreme Court set aside the bail granted to him by the Orissa High Court. The MLA was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment by the fast track court on June 29, 2010, in connection with the murder of Bikram Nayak during the Kandhamal communal riots.

Nayak was killed at Barepanga village within Raikia police limits on August 27, 2008. Pradhan had moved the high court against the order and secured bail on July 7, 2010. However, Nayak's widow Kanakrekha, moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. The apex court on January 25 had withdrawn the bail granted by the high court. After surrendering, the MLA had once again appealed for bail in the high court.

"The high court granted bail to Manoj Pradhan on the condition that he will not influence the witnesses and leave the country without the permission of the trial court," Pradhan's counsel Sarbeswar Behera said.